William7gr's review of the Silent Partner Hip Hop

I was debating between the Hip Hop and the Pioneer DC plus and decided on the Hip Hop because of the mounting and the price. This machine is built very well with the only non-metal pieces being some of the knobs and the ands of the support posts. The machine came very well packaged and nothing looks used or damaged. The one problem I encountered however was that the top of the string gripper was jammed down so I had to unscrew it and put it back on the right way.

Mounting:[/URL]
Mounting the racquet is quick and easy with the two knobs. The top black knob is for the sides and the bottom chrome one is for the center post. After my fist racquet there was no frame distortion based on my eyes.

Clamps: [/URL]
After using this machine I would love to try spring assisted clamps to see how much better they are because I could not imagine any clamps easier to open and close. I never had a string slip nor were there marks on the strings.

Tensioning system: [/URL]
The clutch worked great without any problems. I was a little concerned about the rotational gripper rather than the linear gripper but I see very little effect on the string.

Turntable/Brake: The turntable is very heavy and is very solid I, I never had the machine tip on me. I was not expecting much from the brake nor will I need it very much because of the lack of O3's that I will be stringing but it worked very well for the O3 that I strung, I could not imagine having to string one without it.

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Over all my first string job went well after a bit of trouble at the beginning but in the end it probably took me about 2 hours. I would like to thank all of you for helping me with my decision and especially YULitle for your great videos. (I don't think I could have tied any knots without them) I messed up on one of the crosses but thats way I used a Walmart frame that will probably never see the court again. If anyone want to see a pacific picture of something let me know.

I just completed my second string job today and I probably reduced my time by about 30-45 minutes. My knots also improved a lot over my first job. My SP starting clamp worked great, I had to use it to help tension my last main and I used it to start my crosses with no slipping. I measured my racquet at the beginning middle and end of of the process. The racquet was the same length at the beginning and end of the process but after I finished all the mains the racquet was about a quarter of an inch shorter, is this normal?

I just completed my second string job today and I probably reduced my time by about 30-45 minutes. My knots also improved a lot over my first job. My SP starting clamp worked great, I had to use it to help tension my last main and I used it to start my crosses with no slipping. I measured my racquet at the beginning middle and end of of the process. The racquet was the same length at the beginning and end of the process but after I finished all the mains the racquet was about a quarter of an inch shorter, is this normal?

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Nice post.. not sure if that is normal...but the frame was the same after you finished the complete process and that is excellent.

I'm also interested in the sp hip hop for my first machineLooks great, wil keep us updated on the progress thanks Bud.Any trouble you need youlitle he helps the whole forum, good guy lots of experience.

I'm also interested in the sp hip hop for my first machineLooks great, wil keep us updated on the progress thanks Bud.Any trouble you need youlitle he helps the whole forum, good guy lots of experience.

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If you are thinking about getting it, get it now it's a great machine. I am mad at myself that I didn't get it months ago and so will you.

Wil, I went to the sp website this morning and sure enough like you said sold out.So I called Steve anyway,good thing I did he had 1 new one left.What a relief.I can still remember you saying you'll be sorry if you don't.The look on my face this morning, when it said out of stock was priceless.Kinda blows, no pick up's, but that's how they do it.Machine is expected in three days.Steve confirmed to me that it's new, not used ,so well see
I won't be losing any sleep tonight.Wil Thanks again for tellin me not to stall on it.Great advice.I fell sorry whose ever reading this because you're on a waiting list if you want one know.Awesome

Wil, I went to the sp website this morning and sure enough like you said sold out.So I called Steve anyway,good thing I did he had 1 new one left.What a relief.I can still remember you saying you'll be sorry if you don't.The look on my face this morning, when it said out of stock was priceless.Kinda blows, no pick up's, but that's how they do it.Machine is expected in three days.Steve confirmed to me that it's new, not used ,so well see
I won't be losing any sleep tonight.Wil Thanks again for tellin me not to stall on it.Great advice.I fell sorry whose ever reading this because you're on a waiting list if you want one know.Awesome

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I went to the SP website today and thought you got the last one but then at the beginning of your post I got worried. Glad it all turned out good especially since the crump has been out of stock for over a month. Enjoy your new machine.

^^^^ Just watch YULitle's videos and read the manual and you should be fine. I have a copy of the manual on my computer if you want to get a head start. Just give me your email. Also I would set aside at least 3 hours for the first string job, setting the machine up and getting started that first time is tough. (I spent 15 minutes entangling a knot I made in the string)

Will, does your clutch have a clicking mechanisim?.My machine does'nt make a sound.Is this normal?

Came this morning,well packaged like you said.No shipping scars at all.Assembly took 5min.Very well built.My gripper is workin fine.The hip hop has to be seen to be truly appreciated.Tonight when I hit I'm swinging for the fences,Never thought I'd be happy when strings go, but now i'm looking forward to it.lol

Clamps are good quality easy o/c no sticking.Now I only need your Husky tool box to complete the set.
ps/looks nice up there!

Will, does your clutch have a clicking mechanisim?.My machine does'nt make a sound.Is this normal?

Came this morning,well packaged like you said.No shipping scars at all.Assembly took 5min.Very well built.My gripper is workin fine.The hip hop has to be seen to be truly appreciated.Tonight when I hit I'm swinging for the fences,Never thought I'd be happy when strings go, but now i'm looking forward to it.lol

Clamps are good quality easy o/c no sticking.Now I only need your Husky tool box to complete the set.
ps/looks nice up there!

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Congratulations

Mine doesn't make the clicking noise either which is a good thing IMO. I would string an old racquet first if you have one because you might mess up a cross or a knot and it would be better for it not to be your real racquet. (I did both but fixed it by the second time) The Tool box is perfect for the machine and I love it the problem is that I have no idea where it came from. My dad has had it for a few years now and it still has most of his tools in it. However I did see some similar models at sears that I would suggest taking a look at.

hey, i bought my hip hop during summer
i love this machine it is nice and easy to use
did you calibrate yours?
i wanted to know how much it was off by, i ve gotten used to whatever tension it is at right now, but its still nice to know

hey, i bought my hip hop during summer
i love this machine it is nice and easy to use
did you calibrate yours?
i wanted to know how much it was off by, i ve gotten used to whatever tension it is at right now, but its still nice to know

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No but 1st seed just got one and said he would calibrate it and tell me how it is but I haven't heard from him in a while.

Still waiting for the strings to go.I have'nt calibrated the drop weight yet.Need to get to my bass boat were my digital fish scale is.Recently just purchased 100$ in strings,plus been hitting like crazy.Hopefully I can post next week.Stay tuned.

Still waiting for the strings to go.I have'nt calibrated the drop weight yet.Need to get to my bass boat were my digital fish scale is.Recently just purchased 100$ in strings,plus been hitting like crazy.Hopefully I can post next week.Stay tuned.

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If you have an old racquet I would suggest stringing it first because you might miss a weave of mess something up like I did.

Just brought a Hip-Hop too. I am looking into tool carts as well. I am hoping the stringer will be here by the end of the month. You should Youtube stringing with this machine! This is my first machine. Getting alittle nervous about stringing it.

Just brought a Hip-Hop too. I am looking into tool carts as well. I am hoping the stringer will be here by the end of the month. You should Youtube stringing with this machine! This is my first machine. Getting alittle nervous about stringing it.

I just sent it. I was nervous too and it took me a long time to do my first racquet. I would suggest stringing an old racquet or one you don't use anymore at first to get used to it. Also did you get a starting clamp?

I just sent it. I was nervous too and it took me a long time to do my first racquet. I would suggest stringing an old racquet or one you don't use anymore at first to get used to it. Also did you get a starting clamp?

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yeah i did. Hopefully, I don't need to use it. Did you have to use yours alot? After studying YuLitle's youtube vid's, seems like he says we don't need a starting clamp all the time.

yeah i did. Hopefully, I don't need to use it. Did you have to use yours alot? After studying YuLitle's youtube vid's, seems like he says we don't need a starting clamp all the time.

thanks also for the manuals! I will study it too.

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You dont need it 99% of the time but the 1% of the time you do you will be so happy you have it. It works great to tighten knots and ATW patterns. Also if you happen to knot have enough string to wrap around the tensioner you will love the fact that you got one.

Quick Question for you. Have you strung O3's yet? If so, I heard we have to do the "brake offset around 15 degrees" thing. If you did, did your stringer move since it's not bolted down to your cart?
Oh yeah, how tall is your cart? The only ones I've seen at Sears is 26.5 inches tall. Thinking about putting books on top to make it higher.
I am going to get a cart this afternoon, and need to string some O3's for some friends.

Quick Question for you. Have you strung O3's yet? If so, I heard we have to do the "brake offset around 15 degrees" thing. If you did, did your stringer move since it's not bolted down to your cart?
Oh yeah, how tall is your cart? The only ones I've seen at Sears is 26.5 inches tall. Thinking about putting books on top to make it higher.
I am going to get a cart this afternoon, and need to string some O3's for some friends.

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One of my first racquets I practiced with was an O3 and I strung it without any problems. No one I know uses an O3 so I have never looked up how to do it. What is the 15 degree thing your talking about. The machine is a tank it is quite heavy so I felt no need to bold it down to the table and have never had any problems with it. Sorry I will have to get back to you tomorrow about the hight of the cart. It works fine for me but I'm only 5 1/2 so taller people might have some problems.

One of my first racquets I practiced with was an O3 and I strung it without any problems. No one I know uses an O3 so I have never looked up how to do it. What is the 15 degree thing your talking about. The machine is a tank it is quite heavy so I felt no need to bold it down to the table and have never had any problems with it. Sorry I will have to get back to you tomorrow about the hight of the cart. It works fine for me but I'm only 5 1/2 so taller people might have some problems.

Quick Question for you. Have you strung O3's yet? If so, I heard we have to do the "brake offset around 15 degrees" thing. If you did, did your stringer move since it's not bolted down to your cart?
Oh yeah, how tall is your cart? The only ones I've seen at Sears is 26.5 inches tall. Thinking about putting books on top to make it higher.
I am going to get a cart this afternoon, and need to string some O3's for some friends.

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My cart is 30 inches Tall then its another 10 inches from the top of the table to the racquet.

Quick question, when you were dropping your drop weight to do the tension, did you have a hard time holding on the clutch and dropping it again to make the "white dot" land in them middle? I needed alot grip and muscle to hold onto the clutch and readjust. Wondering if it is suppose to be like that?
thanks

^^^^ It can get slippery and sometimes is hard to hold on too. On mine you can feel a difference when you twist it with and without a string on it, its easier to do it without the string. Also on mine you can feel when the clutch begins to take effect. Since this is your first racquet the machine probably needs to be broken in a bit. If its the same after a couple more racquets I'd give Steve a call.

^^^ Thanks William. Yeah. I am hoping I don't need to adjust anything that is connected to the clutch, but man, it takes alot of elbow grease to turn the knob. I will get kinda nervous. I put mines on top of a craftsman tool chest btw. Not as nice as your Husky, but it's the same idea. =)

Oh yeah, what kind of maintainence did you do to your machine? I heard we need to either put veggie oil or WD the rails on the bottom? Is this true?

^^^^ Honestly the maintenance is one of those things that I keep saying that one of these days I will get to but the only thing that I did was clean my clamps because I had to make them really tight to hold onto the string. I just read the manuel and it said to clean the clamps and the outside of the tensioning drum but the manuel said that that was it for the SWING not the HIP HOP so i'm not sure about the rails. I just sent steve an e-mail asking.